Garlic and Blood Pressure: Is Garlic Good for High Blood Pressure?

The health benefits of garlic have been questioned and subsequently proven through several scientific researches conducted over the years.

When it comes to garlic and blood pressure, the effects of garlic on lowering blood pressure in humans have been well documented. The lines below throw light on how garlic helps blood pressure lower in humans, and why you should take garlic for hypertension.

Garlic Lowers Blood Pressure - Scientifically Proven:

This incredible spice has undergone researches for both its raw form as well as supplement form to conclude its contribution in bringing down blood pressure in individuals suffering from high blood pressure. Read: Garlic and Cardiovascular Disease: Prevent and Cure Heart Related Ailments with Garlic

Garlic/ Garlic Preparations

There are studies that show how garlic as well as garlic preparations can positively affect blood pressure by delivering a fairly sufficient allicin dosage.

Double-blind researches using garlic preparations show that 10 mg of allicin on a daily basis can lower blood pressure readings by 11mmHg for systolic pressure as well as 5.0 mmHg for diastolic pressure within a timeframe of one to 3 months.

Garlic Supplements

A recent meta-analysis of a previous research was published in a scientific journal in which it was shown how garlic supplements significantly lower blood pressure in those people who suffer from high blood pressure.

In this meta-analysis, 11 different studies (previous) were identified, wherein participants (in most cases) were provided with garlic powder (600 mg-900 mg) for 12-23 weeks. On collecting the results, it was seen that garlic lowered systolic pressure by 8.4 mmHg as well as diastolic pressure by 7.3 mmHg.

In fact, participants suffering from higher blood pressure were the ones whose blood pressure was significantly reduced.

Also Read: Historical Uses of Garlic: Used all Around The World as Food and Medicine for Thousands of Years

What Form Of Garlic Should Be Taken?

Since allicin in garlic helps blood pressure reduce significantly, you will need to consume sufficient amount of garlic every day to provide your body with enough allicin. The Linus Pauling Institute suggests that chewing raw garlic, or using chopped or crushed fresh garlic (raw) for consumption, cause garlic to release the alliinase enzyme that in turn, leads to the formation of allicin. Both dried and raw garlic provides high amounts of allicin to the human body.

However, as garlic ages or if it is subjected to heat-treatment, its allicin potential will decrease. So, according to researchers, consuming cooked or aged garlic will not help the cause as much as dried or raw garlic consumption can.

Finally- How Much Garlic to Consume?

Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences in its 2013 study found that individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure, when provided with 1500 mg, 1200 mg, 900 mg, 600 mg and even 300 mg of garlic on a daily basis, showed a decrease in their blood pressure.

And it was also concluded that higher dose for longer time period can make garlic for hypertension a better choice than medication. Garlic helps blood pressure lower when a sufficient amount of this spice is taken every day.

So, 1-4 garlic cloves per day (raw, where an average clove weighs between 4000 mg-7000 mg) is recommended dosage, which you can either take by adding raw garlic crushed or chopped in salads, or in tea or by simply chewing on the cloves.

Therefore, while you are making other lifestyle changes like lowering salt intake, quitting on smoking, etc., give this spice a try and see how it helps you get rid of your high blood pressure!

Also Read: Garlic and Cholesterol: How Garlic Helps in Reducing Cholesterol